The Somerset County Board consists of: One member elected from each commissioner district in the county; and One nonvoting student member from each public high school in the county selected in accordance with subsection (f) of this section. A member from a commissioner district shall be a resident of that district. A candidate for the county board shall be a registered voter of the county. A member from a commissioner district who no longer resides in that district may not continue as a member of the county board. Except as provided in subsection (f) of this section, members of the board shall be elected at a general election as required by subsection (d) of this section. Except as provided in subsection (f) of this section, and subject to the provisions of paragraph (2) of this subsection, each member serves for a term of 4 years beginning on January 1 after the member’s election and until a successor is elected and qualifies. The terms of members are staggered as provided in this paragraph. The members elected at the 2004 election from commissioner districts 1, 3, and 5 shall serve an initial term of 2 years. An election shall be conducted in 2006 and every 4 years thereafter. The members elected at the 2004 election from commissioner districts 2 and 4 shall serve an initial term of 4 years. An election shall be conducted in 2008 and every 4 years thereafter. The County Commissioners of Somerset County shall appoint a qualified individual to fill any vacancy on the board for the remainder of the term and until a successor is elected and qualifies. The State Board may remove a member of the county board for: Immorality; Misconduct in office; Incompetency; or Willful neglect of duty. Before removing a member, the State Board shall send the member a copy of the charges against him and give him an opportunity within 10 days to request a hearing. If the member requests a hearing within the 10–day period: The State Board promptly shall hold a hearing, but a hearing may not be set within 10 days after the State Board sends the member a notice of the hearing; and The member shall have an opportunity to be heard publicly before the State Board in his own defense, in person or by counsel. A member removed under this subsection has the right to a de novo review of the removal by the Circuit Court for Somerset County. A student member shall: Be a 12th grade student in the Somerset County public school system elected by the high school students of the public school that the student attends, in accordance with procedures established by the school system; Serve for 1 year beginning on July 1 after the election of the member; Be a nonvoting member; and Advise the county board on the interests of students. Unless invited to attend by an affirmative vote of a majority of the county board, the student members may not attend an executive session.

At its first meeting at the beginning of each year, the county board shall elect a chairman from among its members.

Annual compensation for the board is as follows: Chairman – $6,000; and Member – $5,000. The chairman and other nonstudent members are entitled to: Reimbursement for expenses incurred in official duties performed outside Somerset County; and $500 per member per year for expenses incurred in official duties performed within Somerset County.

Except for those actions authorized by subsection (c) of this section, all final actions of the county board shall be taken at a public meeting. The board shall keep a formal record of each public meeting. The county board may take actions in executive session in accordance with § 3–305 of the General Provisions Article.